Mandatory Green Construction Code Nearing Completion
In July 2009, a group of architects, sustainability experts, civic officials, standards writers, and code officials met in Chicago to form the nation’s first comprehensive green construction code for commercial buildings as a companion to the International Building Code. As a result of the meeting, the group developed the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), a set of requirements intended to reduce the harmful impact of buildings on the environment.
The writers of the IGCC composed the statute in mandatory language, so when a jurisdiction adopts it, the code must be followed, in the same way that the International Building Code must be followed in jurisdictions that have adopted it. This stands in contrast to a voluntary system of meeting certain environmental benchmarks for green buildings and being awarded a certification by an independent entity, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
The IGCC would force segments once unwilling to react to voluntary programs to alter their practices to conform with the IGCC’s mandatory language, in jurisdictions where it is adopted. A draft of the IGCC was released in March 2010 and marks the first construction code to establish code requirements for a minimum level of sustainable design in commercial buildings. The code underwent final public hearings in August 2010, and the final version will be published in late 2011. Jurisdictions will be able to adopt the code in 2012.
The IGCC can be administered by code officials and adopted by any governmental unit in an effort to promote green construction to a wider audience. The IGCC targets high performance building construction, structures and systems, and existing building alterations and additions. Because the IGCC is meant to apply to buildings both old and new, it combines traditional and innovative construction practices.
The Main Principle of the IGCC
The IGCC is consistent with other codes produced by the International Code Council (ICC) and is founded upon community-specific sustainability through several choices. The community designates its own goal, and the IGCC provides several options to attain it.
Take a moment while I lay out a scenario. Your two friends, Dwight and Michael, are enrolled in four classes their freshmen year of college: Algebra, Business, Chemistry, and English. Dwight receives high marks in Algebra and Business, but low marks in Chemistry and English. Michael receives high marks in Chemistry and English, but low marks in Algebra and Business. Based on this information alone, the college expels them because they are deemed low-performing students. (This is just an example, readers – please hold off with your hypotheticals, play the game, and follow along). Now then, logic holds that Dwight is better suited for Algebra and Business, while Michael is better suited for Chemistry and English. Therefore, rather than expelling both students, it would make more sense for Dwight to remain in school and tailor his remaining course schedule toward math- and business-related classes, and for Michael to remain in school and tailor his schedule to focus on science and English-related classes.
Alright, so what do Dwight and Michael have to do with the IGCC? Well, like your two friends tailoring their course loads to what suits them best academically, jurisdictions can tailor their individual construction codes to what works best environmentally. Rather than use a uniform rating system to grade individual buildings on performance and sustainability, the IGCC is to be implemented on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. It does this through a concept called project electives, which are flexible code provisions tailored to the sustainability objectives of each jurisdiction.
Project electives are tools established in the IGCC to encourage and drive the construction of green buildings according to the jurisdiction in which they lie. This allows adopting jurisdictions flexibility in customizing the code to meet local environmental concerns and respond to environmental political agendas instead of attempting to follow one general rating system. This concept enables jurisdictions to specify enhanced building performance in particular areas of environmental concern relevant to that community. For example, a jurisdiction in an arid climate would adopt specific building performance codes geared toward water conservation, while a jurisdiction that contains ample water resources would logically adopt a code geared toward other priorities.
Furthermore, the IGCC applies to both new and old. Under the code, both new construction projects and alterations to existing buildings must comply with the IGCC. Thus, the code ensures not only a limit on the environmental invasiveness of future buildings, but will also diminish the impact of the existing built environment upon the natural environment.
Financial Benefits of the IGCC
Whenever a government attempts to implement new codes or regulations, specifically environmental codes or regulations, there typically has been blowback from the construction industry. A fear persists that any implementation of green construction procedures spells an increase in costs for a variety of reasons (more expensive materials, more education, more expensive methods of construction, etc.). However, because the IGCC is founded upon codes produced by the ICC, it was written with an eye toward ensuring that its requirements do not unnecessarily increase construction costs. Its requirements do not restrict the use of new materials, products or methods of construction and do not give preferential treatment to particular types of classes of materials, products, or methods of construction, except where environmental impact or sustainability considerations so require.
While the IGCC’s mandatory language benefits the implementing jurisdiction by providing a framework for designers and owners to follow, designers and owners are not severely burdened because of the multiple available options. Each code adopted mandates specific requirements to meet, yet also allows architects and designers creative liberty in satisfying that jurisdiction’s tailored code. As a result, the IGCC will produce more predictable building performance results which are closely aligned with the specific environmental goals of each jurisdiction. Also, designers are saved the time and money of proposing generally environmental friendly yet unrealistic projects. By knowing what to expect they can plan accordingly and realistically.
Finally, by stressing conservation and approaching it from multiple angles, the IGCC all but guarantees both environmental and fiscal benefits. Conservation results in less waste by using fewer materials, and less water and energy. Because of this, building owners will realize cost savings over the useful life of buildings that conform to the code. Ultimately, this causes a trickle down effect – efficiency breeds efficiency. The demand upon the public infrastructure to maintain buildings decreases, which will benefit the government and public service companies. As a result, consumers are charged lower taxes and service rates, which often equates to more money.
And in the short run, isn’t that the most important green?
